Page 48 of Gray Hair Don't Care
“And that’s what I’m for,” Donovan’s voice was as calm and even as Lela had ever heard it. “You have just been through several extremely trying days, on top of what has already been a non-stop three years getting Echo Echo off the ground. You and Lucius are starting your life together. It’s important that you set everything aside for this. I mean everything.”
Now Lela saw what Donovan was up to. He knew his daughter incredibly well, and she was not the type of person to hop on a plane and unplug for ten days when something big was going on, especially if it had to do with her business. “Your dad’s right. Whatever this is, he and I can figure it out.”
Echo pursed her lips and frantically nodded her head, but she was also visibly wincing. “I know. I know. It’s just really hard. I’ve worked my ass off. So have you guys. I want to be there if things are about to blow up.”
“It’s ten days. I promise to keep you posted on everything that’s going on. I’m sure there will be more than enough excitement to return to,” Donovan said.
“Okay.” Echo hugged Lela. “Goodbye. I’ll miss you. You have to promise you’ll text me every new celebrity follow.”
Lela laughed and returned the embrace. Everything felt so surreal right now, but saying goodbye to Echo helped to bring Lela back down to Earth. “I’ll miss you, too. And I promise to tell you everything.”
“All right, you two,” Donovan said. “Let’s break it up.”
Lela kissed Echo’s cheek, lightly enough so she didn’t leave any lipstick behind. “Congratulations. Have an amazing trip. Don’t forget sunscreen.”
Echo’s musical laugh filled the foyer. “Spoken like a skin care expert.”
Echo, Lucius, and Donovan walked to the car while Lela hung back, standing in the doorway. Mere seconds later, Austin appeared.
“I guess this is it,” Austin said.
Lela felt bad about shooting him down, but there were a million reasons why it wouldn’t work. First off, she felt nothing for him other than some fondness. Second, he was Donovan’s brother, which seemed unfair to Donovan. Third, Austin lived in another city. As if Lela needed to juggle more in her life. More than anything, romance and dating weren’t on her radar right now, especially if Lela B was about to take off like a rocket ship. “Goodbye, Austin. It was really nice to meet you and get to know you.”
“It was great to meet you.” He pursed his lips together and looked down at the floor for a second. “Can I tell you something?”
Lela wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what came next, but she didn’t want to be rude. “Sure.”
“I think my brother is in love with you. But he doesn’t know how to say it. Or do anything about it. Which I totally get, because I can be a little inept when it comes to emotions, too.”
“Why is that? Is it because of your mom?”
Austin shrugged. “I guess? Probably. When you don’t know what you’re going to get, love or indifference, it’s hard to get comfortable. Your first impulse is to run away.”
Lela sighed. That had certainly been the case with Donovan. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with this information, Austin.”
“Nothing. You can’t figure this out for him. I just wanted you to know what I see from where I’m sitting.”
“Thanks.” It was a statement, but it could have just as easily come out as a question. Nothing he was saying would help her in any way.
He reached out and touched her forearm, then leaned in to kiss her cheek. “This is for my brother’s benefit. I’m pretty sure he’s watching right now. Maybe it’ll help him wake up.”
Lela peeked outside to the driveway, where Donovan, Echo, and Lucius were crowded around Austin’s car. Did she even want Donovan to get in touch with his emotions? Part of her did, if only for his own sake, but part of her did not. Life was good right now. Things were going well. Love and feelings were only going to make things more complicated. “Have a safe trip back home.”
“You, too.”
Lela watched as Austin strolled outside and everyone said their final goodbyes in the driveway. Donovan shut the car door after Echo climbed in, then started back to the house while Austin pulled away. As soon as the car was out of sight, Donovan broke out into a jog.
“Lela. Holy shit,” he blurted. “Do you realize what’s happening with Lela B?”
“Excuse me, Mr. Oh I Think The Campaign Might Be Working But Maybe Not?”
“I was dying the whole time you and Echo were looking at your phones.” He stepped inside the foyer and closed the door behind him. “But I didn’t want Echo to bail on her honeymoon. I want her and Lucius off to the best possible start. Plus, I have a feeling things are still going to be insane by the time she gets back.”
Lela was past her annoyance and was now simply feeding on his excitement. She also found it endearing that he was so focused on putting Echo first. “Do you really think all of this stuff is good? I have no clue. I’ve never had anything like this happen to me.”
“This, Lela Bennett, is better than good. I can feel it.” He slung his arm around Lela’s shoulders. More physical contact, except this time in the context of happy, exciting things. Her heart couldn’t take much more of it, especially after the things Austin had just said. “Case in point, a text from the president of JTI.” Donovan showed her his phone.
Lela B is taking off. Moving sales resources to your team. Ramping up production. I know you’re at Echo’s wedding, but call me when you have a chance.
